Mountains in Réunion

A stunning view of a rugged mountain range in Réunion captured under bright sunlight. | Mégane SSu

Réunion is a small volcanic island with remarkably dramatic mountain scenery. Rising from the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar, the island contains towering volcanic summits, immense cliff-walled cirques, deep ravines, high plateaus, lava fields, and one of the world’s most active volcanoes.

Although Réunion is geographically part of Africa and the Mascarene Islands, it is politically an overseas department and region of France. Its highest point, Piton des Neiges, reaches approximately 3,070 meters (10,071 feet), making it the highest mountain in Réunion and the highest summit in the Indian Ocean islands.

🏔️ Overview

The mountains of Réunion were created by volcanic activity over millions of years. Two principal volcanic massifs dominate the island:

The Piton des Neiges massif, which forms most of northern and central Réunion
The Piton de la Fournaise massif, which occupies the southeastern part of the island

Piton des Neiges is the eroded remnant of the older volcano that created much of Réunion. Its slopes have been deeply cut by rivers, landslides, and tropical rainfall, producing the enormous natural amphitheaters of Cilaos, Mafate, and Salazie.

Piton de la Fournaise is younger and remains active. Its summit craters, barren plains, lava channels, and recent flows create landscapes very different from the forested valleys of the older massif.

Together, these mountains form one of the most distinctive volcanic landscapes in the world. Much of the interior is protected by Réunion National Park, while the Pitons, Cirques and Remparts of Réunion Island have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

⚡ Fast Facts

Feature	Details
Geographic region	Southwestern Indian Ocean
Continent	Africa
Country	France
Political status	French overseas department and region
Island group	Mascarene Islands
Highest mountain	Piton des Neiges
Highest elevation	Approximately 3,070 m (10,071 ft)
Main mountain systems	Piton des Neiges massif and Piton de la Fournaise massif
Active volcano	Piton de la Fournaise
Major cirques	Cilaos, Mafate, and Salazie
Protected area	Réunion National Park
UNESCO designation	Pitons, Cirques and Remparts of Réunion Island
Dominant rock type	Basalt
Mountain origin	Hotspot volcanism

Réunion’s mountains are part of the wider Mascarene Islands, which also include Mauritius and Rodrigues. You can compare the two main islands in our guide to the mountains of Mauritius.

📍 Where Are the Mountains of Réunion?

Réunion lies in the southwestern Indian Ocean, approximately 680 kilometers east of Madagascar and about 175 kilometers southwest of Mauritius.

The island is nearly circular, but its mountainous interior creates a complex landscape. Coastal settlements are connected by roads around the edge of the island, while the central highlands contain steep ridges, isolated valleys, and deeply eroded volcanic walls.

The older Piton des Neiges massif occupies much of the northwest, center, and west. The younger Piton de la Fournaise massif rises in the southeast. A high saddle known as the Plaine des Cafres separates the two main volcanic systems.

Despite Réunion’s relatively small size, the difference between the coast and summit of Piton des Neiges exceeds 3,000 meters. This enormous vertical relief produces sharp changes in temperature, rainfall, vegetation, and scenery over short distances.

🌋 How Réunion’s Mountains Formed

Réunion developed above a volcanic hotspot beneath the Indian Ocean. Magma repeatedly rose through the oceanic crust, creating layers of basaltic lava that eventually built an island above sea level.

The older Piton des Neiges volcano began forming Réunion several million years ago. Repeated eruptions constructed a broad volcanic shield, but volcanic activity eventually declined. Erosion then became the dominant force shaping the massif.

Heavy rainfall, rivers, rockfalls, and large landslides carved deep valleys into the volcano. These processes helped create Réunion’s famous cirques and towering ramparts.

Piton de la Fournaise developed later on the southeastern side of the island. It remains volcanically active and continues to reshape the landscape through frequent basaltic eruptions.

This combination of construction by lava and destruction by erosion is an excellent example of the processes described in How Are Mountains Formed? and our guide to the different types of mountains.

📊 Ten Highest Mountains in Réunion

The following table uses rounded elevations based primarily on modern summit data. Published elevations can differ slightly because of mapping methods, vertical datums, volcanic changes, and the distinction between independent summits and subsidiary high points.

Rank	Mountain	Elevation	Volcanic Massif
1	Piton des Neiges	3,070 m (10,071 ft)	Piton des Neiges
2	Gros Morne	3,020 m (9,909 ft)	Piton des Neiges
3	Peak 3016	3,016 m (9,895 ft)	Piton des Neiges
4	Le Grand Bénare	2,897 m (9,504 ft)	Piton des Neiges
5	Piton de la Fournaise	2,633 m (8,638 ft)	Piton de la Fournaise
6	Piton des Basaltes	2,448 m (8,033 ft)	Piton de la Fournaise
7	Piton Chisny	2,440 m (8,005 ft)	Piton de la Fournaise
8	Morne Langevin	2,416 m (7,927 ft)	Piton de la Fournaise
9	Piton Haüy	2,409 m (7,904 ft)	Piton de la Fournaise
10	Sommet de l’Entre-Deux	2,352 m (7,717 ft)	Piton des Neiges

Peak 3016 is an unnamed high point near the summit region of the Piton des Neiges massif. Although it is included in elevation-based summit databases, it is less widely recognized than the island’s named mountains.

Elevation alone does not show how strongly a summit rises above the surrounding landscape. Our guides to mountain prominence and elevation versus prominence explain the difference.

🏔️ Major Mountains of Réunion

Piton des Neiges

Piton des Neiges is the highest mountain in Réunion and the highest summit among the islands of the Indian Ocean. Its name translates as “Peak of Snows,” although snow is rare and does not remain on the summit year-round.

The mountain is the deeply eroded summit of Réunion’s older volcanic massif. Its rugged slopes rise above the cirques of Cilaos, Mafate, and Salazie, creating some of the island’s most impressive views.

The summit can be reached on foot, most commonly from Cilaos. Many hikers divide the ascent into two days and stay near the mountain before climbing to the summit for sunrise.

Gros Morne

At approximately 3,020 meters, Gros Morne is the second-highest named summit in Réunion. It stands close to Piton des Neiges and is separated from it by a relatively high saddle.

Gros Morne is far less accessible than Piton des Neiges. Its steep, rugged terrain is more appropriate for experienced mountaineers familiar with exposed volcanic landscapes. It should not be treated as an ordinary marked hiking destination.

Le Grand Bénare

Le Grand Bénare, commonly called Grand Bénare, is one of Réunion’s most popular high summits. It rises to approximately 2,897 meters on the western side of the Piton des Neiges massif.

The summit offers exceptional views over the Cirque de Mafate, the Cirque de Cilaos, Gros Morne, and Piton des Neiges. One of the principal approaches begins near the Maïdo viewpoint.

Although the route is not generally technical, it is long, rocky, exposed to the sun, and subject to rapidly forming clouds.

Piton de la Fournaise

Piton de la Fournaise, meaning “Peak of the Furnace,” is the active volcano of Réunion. It rises to approximately 2,633 meters and dominates the southeastern third of the island.

The volcano is a basaltic shield volcano with a broad summit area containing several craters. Its best-known summit features include the Dolomieu and Bory craters.

Many eruptions take place within the natural enclosure known as Enclos Fouqué. Access to trails can be restricted or closed during eruptions, seismic crises, poor weather, or other hazardous conditions.

Piton des Basaltes

Piton des Basaltes rises to approximately 2,448 meters in the Piton de la Fournaise massif. It stands west of the active summit zone and forms part of the rugged volcanic highlands surrounding the Plaine des Sables.

The mountain’s name reflects the basaltic rock that dominates Réunion’s volcanic geology.

Piton Chisny

Piton Chisny is a volcanic cone overlooking the Plaine des Sables. Its reddish-brown slopes, dark lava fragments, and surrounding barren terrain create one of the island’s most striking volcanic scenes.

The summit reaches approximately 2,440 meters. The landscape around the mountain is often compared to Mars because of its exposed rock, limited vegetation, and intense red and black coloring.

Morne Langevin

Morne Langevin reaches approximately 2,416 meters along the southern highlands of the Piton de la Fournaise massif.

The mountain overlooks the upper valleys of the Rivière Langevin and Rivière des Remparts. Its position provides wide views toward Réunion’s southern coast, the Plaine des Sables, and the island’s central mountains.

Piton Haüy

Piton Haüy is a volcanic formation west of the summit of Piton de la Fournaise. It consists of connected volcanic cones within the stark surroundings of the Plaine des Sables.

Its unusual colors and relatively accessible setting make the area popular with hikers interested in Réunion’s volcanic geology.

Sommet de l’Entre-Deux

The Sommet de l’Entre-Deux rises to approximately 2,352 meters on the Coteau Kervéguen, part of the Piton des Neiges massif.

It lies near the meeting point of the municipal territories of Cilaos, Entre-Deux, and Saint-Benoît. The surrounding ridges overlook deep valleys and high-elevation forests.

🌀 The Cirques of Réunion

Réunion’s cirques are immense, steep-sided basins carved into the Piton des Neiges massif. They are not volcanic craters in the usual sense. Instead, they developed through a combination of erosion, river incision, landslides, and the structural collapse of parts of the old volcano.

Cirque de Cilaos

The Cirque de Cilaos lies south of Piton des Neiges. It contains the mountain town of Cilaos, which serves as an important base for hiking and exploring the central highlands.

The cirque is surrounded by steep ramparts and jagged summits. It is reached by a famous winding road containing numerous bends and narrow mountain passages.

Cirque de Mafate

The Cirque de Mafate is the most isolated of the three cirques. There are no public roads into its interior, and its small settlements are reached primarily on foot or by helicopter.

A dense network of trails crosses its ridges, river valleys, and remote hamlets. Mafate is one of the best places to experience Réunion’s rugged interior away from roads and larger towns.

Cirque de Salazie

The Cirque de Salazie occupies the wetter eastern side of the Piton des Neiges massif. It is known for lush forests, dramatic cliffs, and numerous waterfalls.

The village of Hell-Bourg is one of the main communities within the cirque and a popular starting point for walks into the surrounding mountains.

🪨 Geology

Réunion consists predominantly of basalt produced by repeated eruptions of relatively fluid lava. These eruptions constructed broad shield volcanoes rather than the steep, cone-shaped stratovolcanoes found in many subduction zones.

The older rocks of the Piton des Neiges massif have been heavily weathered and eroded. Its cliffs expose thick sequences of ancient lava flows, volcanic debris, and intrusive rock.

The Piton de la Fournaise massif contains much younger surfaces. Here, visitors can see recent lava fields, volcanic cones, craters, fissures, and lava channels with comparatively little erosion.

Réunion’s relief is continuously changing. Rainfall cuts ravines into older slopes, landslides modify the cirque walls, and volcanic eruptions occasionally create new land or cover existing terrain.

🌿 Flora and Fauna

Réunion’s mountains support a remarkable variety of ecosystems. Conditions change quickly with altitude and exposure, ranging from humid tropical forest to cloud forest, high-elevation heath, and sparsely vegetated volcanic ground.

The wetter eastern slopes support dense vegetation, ferns, mosses, orchids, and montane forests. Drier western areas contain different plant communities adapted to lower rainfall.

Many species are endemic to Réunion or the Mascarene Islands. Native mountain habitats provide refuge for rare birds, insects, and plants, although invasive species remain a significant conservation challenge.

At the highest elevations and on recent lava fields, vegetation becomes shorter and more scattered. Areas around the active volcano may be almost barren, particularly where young lava and acidic volcanic material create difficult growing conditions.

🥾 Hiking in Réunion’s Mountains

Réunion has an extensive trail system, including several long-distance Grande Randonnée Réunion routes.

The GRR1 circles the Piton des Neiges massif, the GRR2 crosses much of the island, and the GRR3 explores the Cirque de Mafate. Numerous shorter trails lead to viewpoints, volcanic cones, waterfalls, forests, and high summits.

Popular mountain hikes include:

The ascent of Piton des Neiges from Cilaos
Grand Bénare from the Maïdo area
Trails through the Cirque de Mafate
Walks in the Cirque de Salazie
The Piton de la Fournaise summit area
Routes across the Plaine des Sables
The Morne Langevin trail
Forest hikes around Bélouve and Bébour

Conditions can be more demanding than the tropical setting suggests. High elevations may be cold and windy, while rain can make rocks, roots, and volcanic surfaces slippery.

🏔️ Field Guide Tip: Begin high-elevation hikes early. Clouds frequently build over Réunion’s interior during the day, obscuring views and making navigation more difficult.

Carry appropriate hiking gear and the Ten Essentials, even on routes that begin near a road. Learning what to do if you get lost while hiking is especially important in fog, dense forest, or unfamiliar volcanic terrain.

🌤️ Best Time to Visit

The most popular period for mountain hiking is generally the cooler, drier season from approximately May through October.

Temperatures are usually more comfortable during these months, and long periods of heavy tropical rainfall are less common. However, conditions can still change rapidly at high elevations.

The warmer and wetter season usually runs from approximately November through April. This period can bring intense rainfall, tropical storms, swollen rivers, landslides, and difficult trail conditions.

Regardless of the season, hikers should expect:

Strong sunshine and ultraviolet exposure
Cold temperatures at high elevations
Rapidly developing fog and cloud
Sudden rain
Strong summit winds
Large temperature differences between the coast and mountains

Volcanic alerts and access restrictions around Piton de la Fournaise can change at any time. Always consult current local information before entering the summit area.

🧭 Nearby Mountains and Attractions

Réunion’s mountain regions contain numerous natural and cultural attractions:

Maïdo viewpoint provides one of the best road-accessible views into the Cirque de Mafate.

Plaine des Sables is a high volcanic plateau known for its red, brown, and black terrain.

Pas de Bellecombe-Jacob overlooks the Enclos Fouqué and is the principal gateway to the Piton de la Fournaise summit area.

Bélouve Forest contains high-elevation forest, walking trails, and views toward the Trou de Fer gorge.

Cilaos is a mountain town surrounded by peaks and deep valleys.

Hell-Bourg is a historic village within the lush Cirque de Salazie.

Grand Bassin is an isolated settlement reached by a steep mountain trail.

The Lava Road crosses areas along Réunion’s southeastern coast that have repeatedly been affected by lava flows.

💡 Fun Facts

Piton des Neiges is higher than every mountain on Madagascar, Mauritius, and the other islands of the Indian Ocean.
The name Piton des Neiges means “Peak of Snows,” but lasting snow cover is absent and snowfall is rare.
Réunion contains two adjoining volcanic massifs of very different ages.
The Cirque de Mafate has no public road connecting its interior settlements with the rest of the island.
Piton de la Fournaise is monitored continuously by a dedicated volcanological observatory.
The UNESCO World Heritage property covers around 40 percent of Réunion.
Réunion rises from sea level to more than 3,000 meters within a relatively small area.
The island’s mountains contain tropical forests, cloud forests, alpine-like heaths, and nearly barren lava fields.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is the highest mountain in Réunion?

Piton des Neiges is the highest mountain in Réunion. Its summit elevation is approximately 3,070 meters, or 10,071 feet.

Is Piton des Neiges an active volcano?

No. Piton des Neiges is the deeply eroded remnant of Réunion’s older volcanic system and has not erupted for thousands of years.

What is the active volcano in Réunion?

Piton de la Fournaise is Réunion’s active volcano. It occupies the southeastern portion of the island and produces mainly basaltic lava flows.

Is Réunion part of France?

Yes. Réunion is an overseas department and region of France. Geographically, it lies in the African region of the southwestern Indian Ocean.

What are the three cirques of Réunion?

The three major cirques are Cilaos, Mafate, and Salazie. They are enormous erosion basins within the Piton des Neiges massif.

Can you hike to the top of Piton des Neiges?

Yes. Marked trails reach the summit, with the most common approach beginning near Cilaos. The hike is physically demanding and involves substantial elevation gain.

Can you climb Piton de la Fournaise?

Access to the summit area is possible when trails are officially open. Routes may be closed because of eruptions, volcanic unrest, hazardous weather, or trail damage.

Does it snow in the mountains of Réunion?

Snow is extremely rare. Frost and cold temperatures can occur at high elevations, but Réunion does not have permanent snowfields or glaciers.

Is Réunion good for hiking?

Yes. Réunion is one of the Indian Ocean’s leading hiking destinations, with long-distance routes, volcanic trails, forest walks, remote cirques, and high mountain summits.

Are Réunion’s mountains part of a conventional mountain range?

Not exactly. The island’s mountains are better described as parts of two volcanic massifs: Piton des Neiges and Piton de la Fournaise. On a broader scale, they belong to the Mascarene Islands.

🔗 Related Articles

📚 Sources

Rate this post